Is Fantasy Just Smut with Dragons Now? Romantasy, BookTok & Viral Series Debate
Why do some fantasy series absolutely explode while others quietly disappear from your TBR? In this episode of Fully-Booked, Megan and Shirin unpack the rise of romantasy, dark romance, and spicy dragon epics to figure out what really makes a fantasy series go viral.Is there a magic formula behind today’s breakout fantasy hits? The hosts talk worldbuilding vs romance, character-driven sagas, the role of BookTok and RomantasyTok, and whether every new “high fantasy” release really needs explicit spice on every other page. They compare classic epic fantasy vibes (Tolkien, The Dark Tower, Shannara) with the current wave of dragon academies, fae courts, and dark romance crossovers, and wonder if we’re due for the next shift.If you’ve ever picked up a “high fantasy” only to discover it’s basically an erotic novel with dragons, or you miss old-school worldbuilding where the plot is more than just who’s kissing who, this conversation is for you.
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Is Wicked: Part Two Actually… Good? Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo & a Very Messy Second Act
Welcome back to Fully-Booked, and happy Wicked Week!In this spoiler-packed episode, Meghan and Shereen sit down the day after seeing Wicked: Part Two to ask a big question: was this sequel actually good, or just really, really pretty?Drawing on Meaghan’s experience with Gregory Maguire’s novel and the Broadway musical, and Shirin's fresh movie-focused perspective, they unpack how the film handles Elphaba’s story, why Glinda weirdly feels like the main character in Part Two, and how much the new original songs actually add to the runtime. They talk fan expectations, social media intensity, and why some viewers seem ready to defend this franchise like it’s a personality trait.
Subscribe on your favorite platform!SpotifyApple PodcastAmazon MusiciHeart RadioPodchaserYoutubeDon't forget to follow us on socials too!InstagramThreadsTikTokBlueSkyFacebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Dark Fairy Tales, Feminist Horror & Forever My Girl (Book vs Movie)
Hey there, fictional friends!On this episode of Fully Booked, Meghan and Shirin take a break from “serious” adaptations and dive into a mixed bag of comfort reads, ranging from horror to romance.💘 Main Chat: Forever My Girl – Book vs MovieWe unpack the Heidi McLaughlin novel and its 2018 film adaptation: runaway groom country-music star, furious florist ex, secret kid, small-town Louisiana vibes, and why the movie softens some of the book’s toxicity while dialling up the swoon.🧠 Escapism, Doomscrolling & Mental HealthWhy horror and small-town romances are hitting so hard right now, how feminists are remaking body horror, and why taking a social-media break to read might be the ultimate self-care move.👻 Bonus: Sparks x Shyamalan = RemainWe also scream a little about Nicholas Sparks & M. Night Shyamalan’s new supernatural love story Remain and its upcoming film with Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor — the exact horror-romance crossover this era deserves.
Subscribe on your favorite platform!SpotifyApple PodcastAmazon MusiciHeart RadioPodchaserYoutubeDon't forget to follow us on socials too!InstagramThreadsTikTokBlueSkyFacebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Del Toro’s Frankenstein (2025) Review: The Most Human Monster on Netflix
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is finally on Netflix—here’s why this Creature-first, practical-effects gothic works (and where it stumbles).We break down Oscar Isaac’s Victor, Jacob Elordi’s heartbreaking Creature, Mia Goth’s dual role, and the film’s lush, tactile world.We caught an early festival screening and a limited theatrical run before release, so this episode digs into the performances, the production design (including those glorious built sets), and why this isn’t a shot-for-shot adaptation but a bold interpretation that honors Mary Shelley’s spirit. We also trace Frankenstein’s cultural afterlife and tease where the Bride may rise next.
Subscribe on your favorite platform!SpotifyApple PodcastAmazon MusiciHeart RadioPodchaserYoutubeDon't forget to follow us on socials too!InstagramThreadsTikTokBlueSkyFacebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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How Universal Turned Shadows Into Stars: The Birth of Modern Horror
On Halloween Day, Meaghan and Shirin celebrate the end of October with a love letter to the Universal Monsters—and the filmmaking moves that made them immortal.We trace the real beginnings of Universal horror (hint: Jekyll & Hyde was on screen long before Bela Lugosi’s Dracula), peek at the bootleg chaos of Nosferatu, and geek out over Lon Chaney’s groundbreaking makeup that hard-coded the “look” of classic monsters—Phantom’s skull-mask, Frankenstein’s square brow, caped Dracula, and the bandaged Invisible Man.Beyond trivia, we dig into why these creatures endure: unchecked power (The Invisible Man), inner conflict (Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde), the tragedy of creation (Frankenstein), and the tug-of-war between terror and seduction (is your vampire a monster…or a crush?). We talk modern riffs—from sympathetic monsters to today’s reboots—and why Universal’s IP keeps shapeshifting across eras without losing its bite.If you love Halloween, classic cinema, or just believe monsters say more about us than about them, this one’s for you.
Subscribe on your favorite platform!SpotifyApple PodcastAmazon MusiciHeart RadioPodchaserYoutubeDon't forget to follow us on socials too!InstagramThreadsTikTokBlueSkyFacebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
A Podcast for Casual Bookworms Everywhere. Every week, join co hosts Meaghan & Shirin as they share their thoughts & opinions about books and their adaptations-the good, the bad & the crappy of it all. Do they have any expertise? No. Are they going to tackle all that the literary world has to offer anyway? You bet. New episodes drop every Friday.
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